Wednesday, April 24, 2024

President Mwanawasa says theft of public resources is punishable

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President Levy Mwanawasa says he should be punished if he has also stolen from national resources.

Mr Mwanawasa said he does not see any reason why he should not be punished if he had
stolen.

Speaking when he commissioned the Livingstone International Airport Runway extension
and civil works in Livingstone today, Mr Mwanawasa said  when he follows up corruption cases, it does not mean that he is also guilty.

”US$46 million was lost in just one case tried in London. We have made that possible and when we do that it doesnt mean that we are also guilty. When anyone of us abuses facilities at his disposal , he will be punished,” he said.

Mr Mwanawasa reiterated that there would be no sacred cows in his government adding
that anyone who abuses his office will be punished.

”But it is being said that Levy you are facilitating this and we will do the same to you when you leave. You are welcome. If I have stolen I don’t see any reason why I should not be punished,” he said.

ZANIS reports from Livingstone that Mr Mwanawasa said he knew that the path he had
taken in pursuing corruption was a dangerous one but noted that someone had to start
the fight in order to save the country.

”I know that the path I have taken is a dangerous one both to me and my family. But
someone must start the fight, if we don’t, we are gone. They are saying that the MMD is full of thieves. I agree. Iam not saying we are clean. If we are found wanting, we should be punished,” he said.

Mr Mwanawasa said because his government had exercised integrity, the donor community had restored its confidence in government adding that the commissioning of
the extension and civil works done at Livingstone airport funded at a cost of US$14
million Euros  by the European Union was a testimony of the confidence the donor community had in the government.

He said the EU’s relationship was not as strong as it is now adding that things have, however, changed and that the EU had become a strong partner to Zambia because of the confidence it has in the new deal government.

Mr Mwanawasa said his administration has been able to disclose a number of malpractices in government which included the disclosure of the thefts of money.

”This demonstrates that we are transparent. Things were being stolen in the past that you did not know.  US$46 million was lost in just one case tried in London

Mr Mwanawasa also noted that advocating for the new Constitution would neither put
food on the table nor develop the country.

He said some sectors of society felt that there would be no food, employment ,
marriage and development if the Constitution is not enacted.

”Dear colleagues, the new constitution will not put food on the table. What will do
is that you should elect leaders of integrity who are ready to work for Zambia. You should elect leaders who will generate confidence from donors,” he said.

The president, who arrived this morning to officially commission the newly rehabilitated Livingstone International Airport was accompanied by Finance Minister Ng’andu Magande, Transport and Communications minister Sara Sayifwanda, Tourism Minister Kabinga Pande and other senior government officials.

ZANIS

104 COMMENTS

  1. Mwanawasa, the only thing which will save you is winning favour from the populace..If you can give the pipo the consititution they are talking about..Punish the thieves, put inplace good corparate governaance and revenue assurances for the goverenment..all Zambians except theives (who are a minority) will Love you and protect you..

    Kachiluba lost it all, when he started pushing for third term, Being corrupt, being tribalistic, Adulterer, demi-god..and all the dodooooo in his pants.

    Do what is right and pipo will fight your battles..You have done well so far but we need more..We thank Chiluba for chosing you to succeed him so that he gets punished( The hand of god I guess), Therefore dont let us come back and punish you for not doing what WE the pipo want..
    I just Love it when thieves are punished..

  2. Levy you are not genuine,you hypocritical and pretentious to woo support.You have lost love by your neighbours in Lusaka and you have done nothing to win them back.You are just scared of your own shadow,why start something you cant finish?Your hypocrisy comes in when you defend people like Kashiwa, you have not offered any reasonable defence so how can you claim to say if we steal we must be punished?Thieving is thieving whether in black or white.You are shielding so many people from persecution.VJ almost blinded you into believing until Post exposed his wickedness, so dont champion yourself like you are clean.
    Yesterday you bought and donated ambulances where are you getting the money from?Knowing that the PResidents Salary is $100,000 per 10 years so have you given away half your 10 year earnings? Yes we need leaders with integrity but your party neither has any including your self.The Zambian people need deliverance from evil.You are insulting us by your pronouncements above

  3. The house you inherited Levy was so filthy and it has taken you so long to clean and my fear is that you will go out leaving even more dirty. So be an action based leader.

  4. I personally think levy has done very well
    and should be left to finish his term without
    being disturd by loosers and thives alike
    well done levy

  5. LPM..if you are reading this…well done and keep up the good work!!!..only 1 problem I can see..stop surrounding yourself with has beens from past governments

  6. Thanks Mr President for the good work but please can we have faster system of these legal issues , Chiluba’s case and many others seem to be dragging for ever.

  7. Congrats Levy!!You’re the right man for Zambia and please do not spare Chiluba and corrupt PS like Dr.Miti.
    GO LEVY GO!!!

  8. You chaps who are glorified LPM dont resides here in Zambia or you are just blinded yourselves with lies of levy. Pipo are dying with hunger, our hospitals dont have medicines or have expired ones. Youth have no jobs, retirees never get their monies till death, colera is the order of the year, the list is endless and you busy licking and praising levy’s fifthy feet. Since he came in power a lot of incidents – Kawamba, Chambeshi and all other. Remember FTJ was never investigated upon, until he left the office. Watch out Muwelewele 2011 is so near.

  9. Mr.President the crusade you have undertaken is a liberation and foundation for Zambia.We will come back and help you.On this one I can assure you.Individuals like AM and KUKU no nothing about Good Governance.They are lost in the boot licking smoke of kA chiluba.And from the look of things they are in poverty as those pennies they were getting from kafupi have run dry.Please boys wake up and sustain yourselves and by the way if you need sometime on the net please leave your emails so I can arrange for you to be credited,otherwise do not bother Kachiluba in the evenings so he can assist you with 10 pin.as a kick back support.You guys are finished.

  10. GK, if LPM means well why is he scared?His scared of the unknown which means he knows his intentions donot mean well.Do you have a reason to believe that Kashiwa deserved to be given ‘nolle’?Dr miti is being shielded today is that corruption crusade?PAC has made revelations that have links to LPM?Come on GK the list is endless.Give credit where its due.KK,FTJ are the most mature leaders Zambia has ever had, at no point did Chiluba respond to press insults but today LPM has got guts to reprimand Difokti and Bikoloni for saying’ukupeza mabulanketi bayanika pa state hse ndiyekuti cani?LPM is so petty and oppresive.We need leaders who are sincere and practice fairness in execution of justice , mutual respect, shares love and to be loved.LPM today has created great animosity amongst the people.You are President becoz of people otherwise you be ruling trees and animals.His dragging his feet over the constititution ,why?GK be objective and analytical in your reasoning

  11. gk, are u sure u are in your right mind. What good governance, when the majority of the citizen are leaving on 1 kwacha a day. Its bootlickers like you who make Muwelewele big headed, he insult people any how. May be you are among the family tree and are comfortable getting kuli bamwisho. What good governance about dragging his feet over consitution when the pipo who elected him wants change. U gk is not in poverty because you are connected to the tree. Remember one day the tree will be cut and it will be soon, ask vj he will explained to u how bootlicking Muwelewele is all about.

  12. I saw AM complaining about pipo dying and how there are no medicines in Zambia. I am a great believer of facts and here is one: THE AMOUNT CHILUBA HAS STOLEN DIVIDED BY THE APPROXIMATE POPULATION OF ZAMBIA

    i.e: US$46 000 000 / 10 000 000 = US$4.60

    FOR APPROX: EVERY INDIVIDUAL IN ZAMBIA. IF THATS NOT SELFISH THEN WHAT IS. IT IS EASY TO BREAK DOWN A HOUSE OR ‘BLOW’ MONEY BUT THE WORK INVOLVED IN MAKING THE MONEY OR BUILDING THE HOUSE IS HARD.

  13. ”Dear colleagues, the new constitution will not put food on the table. What will do
    is that you should elect leaders of integrity who are ready to work for Zambia. You should elect leaders who will generate confidence from donors,” he said

    Ladies and Gentlemen is this a statement that should come from the Head of Sate?This is disgusting and immature.Instead of talking about reducing donor dependancy LPM is advocating for the continual of begging.What will happen if donors refuse to help where would you run to? And this what has made stagnate for 43years because of leaders like Levy.Zambia is rich in resources which if properly exploited can turn zambia around than just going round with a begging bow dressed in Chairman Mao’ suits.Its a shame,donors please one day give us a chance to develop ourselves , give us time, you have spoiled our leaders who have completely stopped thinking,continued fighting one another on flimsy issues instead of contributing to delivering zambia .

  14. I get amazed reading the comments at how peope easily forget one Levy who conspired to have a “nolle” granted with respect to Dr. Bulaya yet the courts Zambian for that matter found Bulaya guilty.

    Levy had no option but to please he donors in the case of Chiluba otherwise we would not have recieved any funding.

    Please don’t be fooled by this man. A leopard cannot change it’s spots and I for one DO NOT think we should start getting excited about a ruling that will not address real issues for me such as poverty, high unemployment, high taxation…..

  15. Hello people,
    I would just like to add that it is quite impressive to notice that we as Zambians have reached such levels of dialogue and debate.I will not comment on LPM’s perfomance mainly because I’m in no position to judge or evaluate (first hand).All I can go by is press reports and hear-say, which we all know niether is the best basis to conclude upon. However I would like to say that pretentious, Hypocritical or not what LPM is doing is a start or move in the right direction. We all know politics is all about perception and image. Look good, make people feel good and all is well in the mind of the electorate.
    Agree with me or not it is evident that LPM has done a pretty good job of making the powers that control donor funds in believing that Zambia is improving in accountability which in turn translates in more genorousity on thier part. Is this enough? I guess that depends on our expectations as a nation.
    We all pray for and love mother zambia,
    LOADIST OUT!

  16. Hello people,
    I would just like to add that it is quite impressive to notice that we as Zambians have reached such levels of dialogue and debate.I will not comment on LPM’s perfomance mainly because I’m in no position to judge or evaluate (first hand).All I can go by is press reports and hear-say, which we all know niether is the best basis to conclude upon. However I would like to say that pretentious, Hypocritical or not what LPM is doing is a start or move in the right direction. We all know politics is all about perception and image. Look good, make people feel good and all is well in the mind of the electorate.
    Agree with me or not it is evident that LPM has done a pretty good job of making the powers that control donor funds believe that Zambia is improving in accountability which in turn translates in more genorousity on thier part. Is this enough? I guess that depends on our expectations as a nation.
    We all pray for and love mother zambia,
    LOADIST OUT!

  17. Stop complaining .. start acting.. change does not come through mouthing off each other but through action. Vote with your feet..let your leaders know that you want them to do what you voted them into office to do. I am always hearing of arm-chair political commentators spouting off their flimsy wisdom and yet have no courage to stand up and fight this disease of corruption, lack of transparency in govt, lack of a working legal system, no jobs, poor health service.. list is endless.
    Change your altitude and mobilise yourselves to make your voices heard. Otherwise just shut up and put up with the calibre of leaders you put in power through your inaction.

  18. gk (#10) my dear I am not in poverty I have got all that it takes to survive and eat once a day, because I no choice, your Master is blame, but I am honest in my leaving – not like u who have to lick Muwelewel’s feet for a leaving.

  19. More than 40% of Zambia’s national budget is donor funded. The rest must be raised by Zambia itself, by taxing the 500,000 or so people in formal employment (most of whom are miserably paid) and a few companies which are barely functional, in order to sustain the 10M plus population (a miserable attempt, but an unavoidable one).

    And then someone, because they have no sense of responsibility, no conscience, no love for Zed, must decide to personalise even the little there is, and there have been suggestions that they should not be made to account for this! Big NOOOO!

    The fact is if Zambia was a ‘going concern’ (and I think it should be thought of in those terms), it would’ve been declared bankrupt long before LPM took the reigns of power.

    Now LPM’s not an angel, but he should be commended for raising the bar in the fight against corruption….to include presidents.

  20. KUKU#14 is very right, here is a president that wants to please the donors – you got that! Nowhere did he mention pleasing zambians!! This is the type of thinking that alot of you seem to advocate. Fighting corruption?? My foot!! If this guy was intent on fighting corruption, he wouldn’t be shielding the muck he does! Infact, he deserves no kudos for the FTJ issue, he HIJACKED IT from the POST & the PEOPLE who kept up the pressure, problem , we all seem to have a very short memory, hence LPM has taken advantage of that & now is basking in the glory of short sighted zambians!! That is an achievement for him, considering he was in a whirlwind of a nightmare, only to be woken up by his ex-best friend & find himself landed with plot 1. I guess all you praising him are all gagging to have such a nigthmare hoping to be shaking LPM’s oily hands!!!

  21. U see the problem in Zed is that when one becomes President, the wife becomes Vice President. I think Zambia as a country is crap, but the people of Zambia with the exclusion of these cheap politicians are great. Imagine what they have gone thru. and yet no civil war yet (which will never happen of course). mZambians are some of the most humble and sensble people on the continate of Africa, but maybe we have to go for the golden boots in order to change the sitiuation for our future generations. These cows who are ruling the country now and those cows that ruled earlier on know excately waht they are doing. Levy the fattest President in the World has a problem after Chiluba’s case. Mwe Mpombo mwe bonse, nimwe magalu

  22. fioricet or rice (rice for food) Kwena ku Zambia kwaisa bai mbwa, nanga Kaunda mudala he stole money too and that is why his children are still kicking. How did he manage to keep Saddam Hussiens family????? with no ngwee in the bank. Zambia is rotten and Mwanawasa is a dog so as to say

  23. What is our next stage? In our close to 43 years of independence, we all know that we can only talk about Kaunda, Chiluba and Mwanawasa. I strongly believe that all these people were genuinely ordained by God to lead, but like many other leaders, they may not have fulfilled their calling. Number one, KK was ordained to liberate the Zambians plus other people in the region from colonialism. It was obvious. Did he do it the right way? Well towards his last days in power he had too much on his plate and he brought us some crazy eastern religions. Chiluba’s job was to liberate us from dependency on Kaunda and dictatorship. He also was supposed to liberate our economy as well as empower the Zambians by transferring wealth from the parastatals into the hands of the Zambians to whom the wealth rightly belonged. Did he fulfill his call? He ended up ripping off the Zambians he was meant to empower. He ended up pocketing $$ only Xavier Chungu knows how much. Mwanawasa was ordained to come and uplift the rule-of-law. Make sure that all the funds stolen by the unscrupulous leaders are brought back into the hands of the people. Has he done it? I don’t know. Will he do it? I don’t think so. It is taking him forever to do anything.

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  27. Mad Scienctist #19..! that is what iam talking about! that is the level we are supposed to be at, right now! active participation in deed and not in words alone?

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